Borno Secures Nine Investment Deals to Support IDPs, Returnees
By Ali Mohammed Zanna, Maiduguri
Borno State has secured nine investment commitments from private sector organisations to support the reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees, following a two-day investment roundtable held in Lagos.
Key outcomes include Dangote Group allocating ₦366 million for IDPs and returnees, while the Dangote Foundation pledged scholarships for 4,000 girls over six years.
The roundtable, held from October 8 to 9, 2026, brought together more than 20 private sector organisations operating in banking, telecommunications, trade, infrastructure, housing, impact investment and philanthropy. 2026, brought together more than 20 private sector organisations operating in banking, telecommunications, trade, infrastructure, housing, impact investment and philanthropy.
Representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also participated in the meeting.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Dauda Iliya, Special Adviser to the Borno State Governor on Media and Spokesperson, six companies signed letters of commitment on the first day, while three additional organisations signed on the second day.
The statement said the commitments were aimed at encouraging private investment in sectors that would promote economic recovery, sustainable livelihoods and the inclusion of communities affected by displacement.
It added that two investors received land allocation approvals on the first day, while telecommunications company Airtel secured right-of-way approval for the construction of telecommunications towers to expand connectivity across the state.
To accelerate the implementation of the commitments, the state government plans to organise the investment pipeline by sector and align proposed projects with the relevant pillars of its 25-Year Development Plan.
The government also assured prospective investors that land for industrial projects would be allocated within two weeks, while residential plots would be made available within 24 hours.
Other incentives outlined at the roundtable include waivers, an investor-friendly business environment, an industrial hub, an international dry port and access to international markets.
The statement said the Borno State Government, the German development agency GIZ and, where necessary, Dyna-vest would establish an Investment Facilitation Support Group to follow up on commitments, address implementation challenges and support projects in the pipeline.
The group would also conduct quarterly monitoring and reporting to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and facilitate timely action.
The roundtable was organised as part of broader efforts to mobilise private sector investment for durable solutions to displacement, with a focus on creating economic opportunities for IDPs, returnees and host communities.
The state government said sustained engagement with investors would be necessary to translate the commitments and pledges into concrete projects capable of supporting long-term recovery and economic inclusion in Borno State.
